Dawlish Crime Rate November 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Dawlish’s crime profile in November 2023 reveals a striking anomaly: 'Other crime' reported at 0.3 per 1,000 residents, 131% above the UK average of 0.1. This category, which includes unclassified incidents, stands out as the sole type exceeding national benchmarks. The overall crime rate of 3.4 per 1,000 residents places the area 54.7% below the UK average of 7.5, a gap that reflects broader trends in the region. Violence and sexual offences (32.5% of total crimes) and anti-social behaviour (27.5%) dominate the breakdown, suggesting persistent local challenges in community safety. Seasonal factors, including Bonfire Night and Black Friday, may have influenced patterns, though the low overall rate suggests effective policing or community engagement. The area’s coastal location and smaller population likely contribute to this divergence from national averages, with fewer opportunities for certain crimes compared to larger urban centres. However, the spike in 'Other crime' warrants scrutiny, as it could indicate underreported or niche issues not captured by standard categorisations. November’s dark evenings and reduced foot traffic in retail areas may have also dampened shoplifting and theft from the person, aligning with the 60% decline in shoplifting and 47% drop in theft from the person compared to October. This suggests environmental and temporal factors play a role in shaping the area’s crime dynamics.

November saw significant shifts in crime patterns, with theft from the person and vehicle crime both doubling from zero to one incident each, marking a 100% increase. This contrasts with a 60% drop in shoplifting, possibly linked to reduced Black Friday activity or enhanced retail security. Anti-social behaviour also fell by 33.3%, though it remains a notable category, accounting for 27.5% of all crimes. The UK comparison for 'Other crime' highlights a 131% disparity, with Dawlish’s rate (0.3 per 1,000) far exceeding the national average (0.1 per 1,000). This could signal underreporting, unique local issues, or misclassification. Meanwhile, violent crime remains 58% below the UK average (1.1 vs 2.6 per 1,000), a trend consistent with the area’s lower population density and community-focused policing. Residents may find the 100% increase in vehicle crime concerning, particularly as it suggests vulnerabilities in car security or parking practices. The data also shows criminal damage and arson rose by 50%, linked to Bonfire Night events or seasonal vandalism. These fluctuations underscore the need for targeted interventions in specific categories, even as the overall crime rate remains low.

Dawlish’s crime rate in November 2023 (3.4 per 1,000) marks a 21.6% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 4.3, reflecting a sustained downward trend. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately one crime per day over the month, a figure that, while low, highlights the need for vigilance in maintaining this trajectory. Monthly exposure translates to one reported crime for every 297 residents, a ratio that, when compared to the UK average, illustrates Dawlish’s relative safety. With a population of 11,870, the area’s small size likely contributes to this lower incidence, as larger urban centres often experience higher concentrations of crime. However, the 131% disparity in 'Other crime' suggests that certain localised factors—such as unclassified incidents or niche issues—may require further attention. The drop in the previous month’s rate, combined with the continued dominance of violent and anti-social crimes, indicates a combination of community dynamics and policing effectiveness. For residents, the 1-in-297 monthly exposure figure provides a tangible sense of risk, though it remains significantly lower than national benchmarks. This comparison underscores both the area’s strengths in crime prevention and the need for targeted strategies to address outliers like 'Other crime'.